08/02/2023
How to donate to Turkey and Syria earthquake disaster response
Watchdogs recommend researching before you give money, with several compiling lists of the most effective charities.
Devastating earthquakes have killed thousands of people in southern Turkey and northern Syria, and dozens of countries have deployed search and rescue teams while humanitarian groups race to respond to the complex situation.
For those seeking to donate to help the response, charity groups and watchdogs advise taking some basic steps.
First, they recommend researching the charity to make sure they are reputable.
Second, they recommend determining if a charity will be the most effective in responding to a given crisis.
Third, they usually recommend giving cash, which offers chosen aid groups the most flexibility.
How to choose a charity?
Luckily, several groups monitor and rate charities and their effective and efficient use of funds.
They include CharityWatch, which provides a database and general ratings of groups, including the percentage of a donation that will be used in operational costs. The group advises that potential donors double-check the name of purported charities, as imitators may use names similar to long-established organisations. It also recommends giving directly to a chosen group.
Meanwhile, Charity Navigator has compiled a list of 28 charitable groups most relevant to the disaster in Turkey and Syria, as well as ratings for each group.
Send a message to learn more
